Psalms 109:4
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
Original Language Analysis
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
1 of 5
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Cross References
Psalms 38:20They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.Psalms 35:7For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.Psalms 35:12They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.John 10:32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?2 Corinthians 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Historical Context
Written during a period when David had shown extraordinary mercy—likely sparing Saul's life twice (1 Sam 24, 26) or showing kindness to Absalom despite rebellion. Ancient honor-shame cultures expected blood vengeance for lesser offenses; David's prayer-response was radically countercultural.
Questions for Reflection
- How does "I am prayer" challenge superficial praying about problems versus embodying prayerful dependence?
- What does it mean to bring enemies to God's court rather than the court of public opinion or personal revenge?
- How can imprecatory prayers be holy expressions of longing for God's justice rather than sinful vindictiveness?
Analysis & Commentary
For my love they are my adversaries—David gave אַהֲבָתִי (ahavati, "my love"), but received שָׂטַן (satan, adversarial opposition—the verb root that yields "Satan"). This is covenant betrayal: love repaid with enmity. But I give myself unto prayer (וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּה, va'ani tefillah)—literally "but I am prayer," an idiom meaning "I am devoted to prayer" or "prayer is my very being."
David models the response Christ commanded: "Pray for them which despitefully use you" (Matt 5:44). Where carnal instinct demands retaliation, David makes himself prayer—his entire being becomes intercession. Significantly, the imprecatory curses in verses 6-19 are themselves prayers, not personal vengeance. David brings his enemies to God's tribunal rather than taking justice into his own hands, fulfilling Romans 12:19: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."